Lawmakers urge hate group network probe

A group of lawmakers are encouraging the Department of Justice to prioritize investigating hate group networks supporting extremist ideology.

Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) recently joined Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) in forwarding correspondence to Attorney General Merrick Garland in the wake of the Proud Boys’ incursion into Portland, Oregon, that resulted in a man opening fire at counter-protesters.

“The principle of freedom of speech does not preclude the Proud Boys and other right-wing extremist groups from espousing hateful, repugnant ideologies,” the legislators wrote. “However, the Constitution does not provide protection for the criminal behavior that we have seen in Portland such as assault, firearms violations, potential hate crimes, and more — some of which may rise to the level of federal offenses. We respectfully request that the Department of Justice open an investigation into interstate criminal activity and coordination between extremist groups across state lines with the intent to commit acts of violence in connection with recurring violent altercations in Portland.”

The lawmakers have inquired regarding whether the FBI or any other Department of Justice entity currently has an ongoing investigation into interstate criminal activity and what action has the Department of Justice or the FBI taken to prioritize protecting the people of Oregon from those who come to the state to provoke violent encounters. They also requested a status update on the implementation of the National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism and information sharing on domestic terrorism groups with state and local law enforcement.

“Investigating domestic violent extremist groups that target otherwise peaceful demonstrations to incite violence must be a high priority, for the country has already seen the deadly results when extremists feel emboldened to acts of violence, vigilantism and terror,” the legislators concluded.